Abstract:
Fetal monitors document two major functions: 1) the heart rate of the fetus, and 2) the contractions of the mother. A normal fetal heart rate is between 110 to 160 beats a minute. The sound of the beat is usually strong and regular. It is normal to have some changes in the fetal heart rate during labor, but drastic changes in heart rate before or after a contraction may indicate that the fetus is in distress. A fetus with large changes in heart rate may need to be removed from the womb immediately, by Caesarean section.
